H.E.A.T. Recognizes Contributions to Auto Theft Prevention

21st Anniversary Breakfast at Joe Louis Arena Brings Law Enforcement & Auto Insurance Industry Together for Awards, Recognition

DETROIT, Oct. 24 -- Today's 2006 breakfast and awards ceremony marks the 21st anniversary of the H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) program. Since its inception in 1985, H.E.A.T., with its partners in law enforcement and the insurance industry, has helped lead to the recovery of over 3,500 vehicles and more than $43 million in stolen property, a $2 million increase from last year. Over the past 21 years, H.E.A.T. has awarded over $2.9 million in rewards and has helped in the arrest of nearly 3,000 auto theft criminals.

"H.E.A.T. is thriving and continues to be a vital resource for law enforcement, insurance companies and citizens throughout Michigan," said Terri Miller, director of H.E.A.T. "Since our inception in 1985 we have collaborated to make a significant impact on statewide auto theft prevention. I would like to congratulate everyone on their dedication and look forward to our continued success."

Michigan State Police (MSP) Director Col. Peter C. Munoz keynoted the anniversary breakfast event before an audience of nearly 200 law enforcement investigators, insurance representatives and government officials.

"Thanks to the confidential tips residents provided through H.E.A.T.'s toll-free hotline," said Col. Munoz, "Michigan law enforcement officials were able to recover $43 million in stolen property, an impressive number. This success stems from the invaluable partnership between H.E.A.T. and the community in fighting auto-related crime."

"With auto theft down in Michigan this year, it is essential that residents continue to speak up to help law enforcement even further crack down on car thieves and chop shops," said Miller. "Auto theft affects everyone. As a community, we can work together to fight these crimes."

H.E.A.T. also presented several awards, including the prestigious William V. Liddane Award and the H.E.A.T. Investigator of the Year Awards. The William V. Liddane Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the fight against auto theft in Michigan, while the H.E.A.T. Investigator of the Year Awards honor law enforcement for their tenacity and hard work in auto theft investigation, arrest, recovery and prevention. This year's recipients are:

  WILLIAM V. LIDDANE AWARD
  *  Lori Davis, Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigator with
     Allstate Insurance Company

  HEAT INVESTIGATOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS
  *  Detective Chris Cole of the Oakland County Sheriff's Department Auto
     Theft Unit
  *  Macomb Auto Theft Squad (MATS)
  *  Genesee Auto Investigative Network (GAIN)
  *  Detectives Esteban Moreno, Robert Zylstra & William Frederick of the
     Grand Rapids Combined Auto Theft Team

  About H.E.A.T.

Anyone with information on auto theft, carjacking, chop shops, auto theft- related identity theft and auto insurance fraud in Michigan is encouraged to call the H.E.A.T. tip line, 1-800-242-H.E.A.T., or log on to http://www.miheat.org/ to provide a confidential report. H.E.A.T. works with Michigan law enforcement agencies to follow up on tips. Tipsters are awarded up to $1,000 if the tip leads to the arrest and prosecution of a suspected car thief or a person suspected of auto theft-related insurance fraud. Rewards of up to $10,000 are issued if a tip results in the arrest and binding over for trial of a suspected theft ring or chop shop operators. H.E.A.T. rewards up to $2,000 for information leading to the issuance of a warrant for a carjacking suspect. The H.E.A.T. tip line is monitored by the Michigan State Police and funded by Michigan's auto insurance companies.